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Tuesday, October 28, 2008

On my nightstand

It's that time again--the 5 Minutes for Books' monthly carnival asking What's On Your Nightstand? Participants post about what they're reading, wanting to read, or completed reading. Somehow I missed out on last month's, so I am doubly excited to find out what everyone's reading!

So, "on my nightstand" (but not really, because I don't read in the bed) are the following books I am currently reading:

The Road to Nowhere by Paul RobertsonI read his first novel, The Heir last year (you can see what I had to say about it here) so I am super excited about reading and reviewing this his second novel.

Come, Thou Long Expected Jesus edited by Nancy GuthrieAnother title for review over at 5 Minutes for Books. Y'all know I have Christmas issues. In short, I am a Grinch so, again, when offered the opportunity to read and review this book, I jumped on it since it is a struggle for me to celebrate the birth of the Lord in the middle of all the "other" that Christmas has become. It's great. Look for more about it later over at 5 Minutes for Books.

Death by Love by Mark DriscollI just began this one and already I am overwhelmed by the horror of the cross and the depth of my Lord's costly grace and His abundant mercy. It's an interesting experience to be reading books on the manger and the cross simultaneously and it moves me to shame as I consider my sometimes flippant attitude toward both. The Word became flesh--what grace! God made Him who knew no sin to be sin--what love!

Up next:I'm not really sure, but one thing is certain--I have plenty of titles to choose from! As far as books for review, I think I'll jump into The Road Home by Tommy Tenney. In the non fiction category, I'll be reading CJ Mahaney's Worldliness: Resisting the Seduction of a Fallen World next.

Thanks to Mocha with Linda, I have The Shape of Mercy which has been getting some great reviews. And as usual, I'd like to read some classics as well. (By the way, I just read A Tree Grows in Brooklyn for our classics bookclub at 5 Minutes for Books--wonderful! It's not too late to join us!)

How about you? What's on your nightstand? Write a post about what you're reading and link up over at 5 Minutes for Books. You can also make the rounds and find out what's on others' reading lists!

14 comments:

Couldn't wait to pop over and see what my "twin reader" is planning to read. ;D (I think we're safe this month.)

YOU ARE A GRINCH!? Oh Lisa! I'd love a post explaining why. Then we can annoyingly shower you with all kinds of Christmas cheer. (I don't suspect your heart is all that small when it comes to Christmas.) I"ll look forward to that Christmas book review over at 5M4B.

Hi Anonymous: I'm reading the Tommy Tenney novel because it is a fiction title that looked appealing to me. The Road Home is a fictional retelling of the story of Ruth. I've read (and enjoyed) Brett Lott's novel of the story of Ruth and I thought it would be interesting to see how another writer treated the story in a modern setting.

I've heard great, great things about The Shape of Mercy.I bought A Tree Grows in Brooklyn when I was in about fourth grade. My mom took it to read it first since she hadn't read it before. I never saw it again. I think she didn't finish it, and it just disappeared.

Hi heather:While I thoroughly enjoyed reading A Tree Grows In Brooklyn, in my opinion it would not be appropriate for a fourth grader or perhaps even older. There are several adult themes addressed, though certainly not gratutious nor graphic. Sex and alcohol were part and parcel to the culture Smith writes of.

Foxe's Book of Martyrs. It was part of my 9-year-old's reading curriculum last year. When he asked me one night to pray for him that he wouldn't be afraid to be a martyr, I figured might be good for me to read it, too. A little heavy for bedtime reading - pretty powerful stuff nonetheless.

I've heard great, great things about The Shape of Mercy.I bought A Tree Grows in Brooklyn when I was in about fourth grade. My mom took it to read it first since she hadn't read it before. I never saw it again. I think she didn't finish it, and it just disappeared.

Hi Anonymous: I'm reading the Tommy Tenney novel because it is a fiction title that looked appealing to me. The Road Home is a fictional retelling of the story of Ruth. I've read (and enjoyed) Brett Lott's novel of the story of Ruth and I thought it would be interesting to see how another writer treated the story in a modern setting.